Smile Ranch Treatments

Brackets

Traditional

Most brackets for traditional braces are made of stainless steel. These brackets are cemented to your teeth and act as “hooks” to place a ligature (a small elastic) around the bracket to keep the archwire in place.

Invisalign

Invisalign doesn’t use brackets to straighten teeth. Instead, polypropylene plastic is heated and shaped to create retainers to straighten your teeth

Ceramic (Clear)

Much like traditional braces, ceramic braces consist of brackets that hold a ligature in place to keep the archwire in place. However, the brackets for clear braces are made of ceramic. Ceramic braces are more brittle and are commonly only used on the top teeth.

Damon System

The brackets for the Damon System are like traditional braces and they come in metal or ceramic varieties. Unlike traditional braces, these brackets don’t require a tie to keep the wire in place. Instead, the brackets allow the wire to move and tighten based on the movement of your teeth.

Wire

Traditional

The archwire of traditional braces is usually made of a nickel-titanium wire, but other metal alloys are available for those with allergies to certain metals.

Invisalign

Invisalign does not use wires to straighten your teeth.

Ceramic (Clear)

Much like traditional braces, the archwire for ceramic braces is also made of nickel-titanium, but clear or tooth-colored wires are also available depending on where you are in your treatment.

Damon System

The Damon System has an archwire made of nickel-titanium like traditional braces, but it is not tied down by elastic ligatures. A white wire can also be used to make the Damon System more invisible depending on where you are in your treatment.

INVISIBLE/ NEARLY INVISIBLE

Traditional

Traditional braces are extremely visible, but you can choose colors for the ligature elastics (the ties to connect your brackets to your wire) to add a splash of color to your mouth.

Invisalign

Invisalign uses clear, thermoplastic retainers to straighten your teeth. These retainers are nearly invisible when worn.

Ceramic (Clear)

Ceramic braces can be clear or white to blend in with your teeth. A white wire can also be used in some cases to make your braces even less visible.

Damon System

Depending on the material, Damon braces can be silver, white, or clear. The brackets for the Damon System are a lot smaller, making them less visible.

HOW IT WORKS

Traditional

Traditional braces work by placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction to slowly move teeth to a corrected position. The archwire is attached to brackets using ligatures (small elastics).

Invisalign

Invisalign uses thermoplastic aligners worn at least 22 hours a day to shift teeth back into alignment without the need for wires, brackets, or ties. A new retainer is used every few weeks to continue adjusting the position of your teeth.

Ceramic (Clear)

Ceramic braces work the same way as traditional braces. An archwire is connected to brackets. The constant force of the wire carefully moves teeth to a corrected position.

Damon System

The Damon System works by using a sliding mechanism that constantly adjusts the wire to keep moving teeth at a steady rate. Unlike traditional braces, the wire is not tied down with ligatures, so the wire is constantly shifting to help your teeth shift, as well.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO

Traditional

Follow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices

Invisalign

Wear a thermoplastic retainer 22 hours a day

Follow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices

Ceramic (Clear)

Follow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices

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Damon System

Follow orthodontist’s instructions with rubber bands or extra devices

AVERAGE VISIT SCHEDULE

Traditional

Every 6-8 weeks

Invisalign

Every 3 months

Ceramic (Clear)

Every 6-8 weeks

Damon System

Every 6-8 Weeks

ADVANTAGES

Traditional

IMPROVED. Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than in years past. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.

Invisalign

INVISIBLE. No one can tell you are wearing the aligners because they are clear.

REMOVABLE. During treatment you can eat and drink what you want and brushing and flossing are less of a hassle.

COMFORTABLE. Every set of aligners is custom-made, with no metal wires or brackets.

FEWER APPOINTMENTS. Invisalign patients only have to make appointments every 3 months.

Ceramic (Clear)

DISCREET. Clear brackets and a white wire are less obvious than traditional braces.

PRECISION CUT. Every bracket is precision cut to give you best possible results during your orthodontic treatment.

Damon System

EASY TO CLEAN. Without ties that collect plaque, you’ll find it easier to stay on top of your dental hygiene while having braces.

DISCREET. Damon® System braces are available in clear brackets.

COMFORTABLE. The slide mechanism that holds the wire is designed to allow teeth to move freely and more comfortably.

REDUCE TREATMENT TIME. Light high-technology shape-memory wires will in most cases reduce treatment time.

ENHANCE FACIAL FEATURES. The Damon® System not only produces beautiful smiles and straight teeth, but allows orthodontists to enhance facial changes as well.

DISADVANTAGES

Traditional

Visible cosmetically

Must be regularly adjusted

Can’t eat certain foods

Invisalign

Have to wear a retainer 22 hours a day

Ceramic (Clear)

More fragile than traditional braces

Must be regularly adjusted

Can’t eat certain foods

Damon System

Fun colors for a-ties are not offered if patient has bad oral hygiene.